What are Peru’s Main Exports and Imports?

Quick Overview

Peru’s trade is led by copper, gold, agricultural goods, fishmeal, fuels, machinery, vehicles, and industrial inputs. In 2025, goods exports reached US$90.082B, while imports rose to US$60.737B, driven by intermediate and capital goods and rising demand.

Peru’s Main Exports and Imports?

Peru is one of South America’s most important trade economies. Located on the Pacific coast, the country connects Latin America with Asia, North America, and Europe through mining exports, agricultural shipments, seafood, textiles, machinery imports, fuel imports, and industrial supply chains.

For companies moving goods to or from the country, shipping containers to Peru is closely tied to the performance of its mining, agriculture, retail, energy, and manufacturing sectors. The Port of Callao remains the country’s main maritime gateway and is especially important for containerized cargo, refrigerated exports, machinery, electronics, consumer goods, and industrial inputs.

Main Exports from Peru

1. Copper and mineral products

Copper is Peru’s most important export product and the backbone of the country’s mining economy. Peru is one of the world’s leading copper producers, and copper exports are shipped mainly as copper ores, concentrates, refined copper, and related mineral products.

China is the largest destination for Peru’s copper exports, followed by other major Asian, European, and North American markets. Copper is used in electrical systems, construction, renewable energy infrastructure, machinery, vehicles, and industrial manufacturing.

Peru also exports other mineral products, including zinc, lead, molybdenum, silver concentrates, iron ore, and tin. In 2025, mining exports were one of the main drivers of Peru’s export growth, supported by higher international prices and strong demand from China and other industrial markets.

2. Gold and precious metals

Gold is another major export from Peru. The country has large gold reserves and a long-established precious metals industry. Gold exports are important because they generate foreign currency revenue and often rise in value when international gold prices increase.

Peru exports gold to markets such as Switzerland, India, Canada, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and other global trading hubs. Precious metals exports also include silver and other mineral-based products.

Gold’s role in Peru’s trade profile has become even more important in recent years due to higher global prices and strong international demand for safe-haven assets.

3. Fruits and agricultural products

Agriculture is one of Peru’s fastest-growing export sectors. The country is known for high-value agricultural exports such as blueberries, grapes, avocados, mangoes, asparagus, citrus fruits, bananas, coffee, cacao, and quinoa.

Peru’s coastal growing regions allow the country to supply counter-seasonal fruit to markets in North America, Europe, and Asia. This makes Peru especially competitive in fresh produce exports.

Blueberries, grapes, and avocados are among the most important agricultural export products. Coffee and cacao have also grown in importance, supported by demand for specialty products and higher-value food supply chains.

Because many agricultural exports are perishable, cold chain logistics and refrigerated containers are essential for Peru’s export competitiveness.

4. Fishmeal, fish oil, and seafood

Peru is one of the world’s leading exporters of fishmeal and fish oil. These products are mainly produced from anchoveta and are used in animal feed, aquaculture, and food production.

Fishmeal exports are especially important for markets such as China, Europe, and other countries with large aquaculture and livestock industries. Peru also exports seafood products such as squid, frozen fish, scallops, shrimp, and other marine products.

In 2025, fishing exports were one of the sectors with the strongest growth, helped by better production conditions and strong demand from international buyers.

5. Textiles, apparel, chemicals, and manufactured goods

Peru also exports textiles, apparel, chemicals, metal products, ceramics, and other manufactured goods. The country is especially known for cotton garments, alpaca wool products, knitted apparel, and high-quality textile manufacturing.

Manufactured exports are smaller than mining and agriculture, but they help diversify Peru’s export base. Products such as chemicals, ceramics, metalworking goods, and textiles support industrial employment and give Peru a stronger presence in value-added trade.

Main Imports into Peru

1. Fuels and energy products

Fuels remain one of Peru’s most important import categories. The country imports crude oil, refined petroleum, diesel, gasoline, lubricants, and other energy products to support transport, mining, agriculture, electricity generation, and industrial activity.

Although fuel imports can fluctuate depending on oil prices and domestic production, they remain essential for Peru’s economy. Mining, trucking, agriculture, ports, and urban transport all depend heavily on imported fuel and energy products.

2. Machinery and industrial equipment

Machinery is one of Peru’s largest import categories. The country imports machinery for mining, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, energy, logistics, food processing, and infrastructure projects.

This includes engines, pumps, computers, industrial machines, construction equipment, mining machinery, agricultural equipment, and spare parts. These imports are closely linked to Peru’s investment cycle and infrastructure development.

In 2025, capital goods and construction materials were among the strongest import segments, reflecting higher demand for equipment, production assets, and transport-related goods.

3. Vehicles and transport equipment

Peru imports a wide range of vehicles and transport equipment, including passenger cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, and automotive parts.

Vehicle imports support household demand, public transport, mining operations, construction, logistics, agriculture, and retail distribution. Major suppliers include China, the United States, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, and other automotive manufacturing markets.

Transport equipment was one of the import categories that contributed to the growth of capital goods in 2025.

4. Electrical equipment and electronics

Electrical equipment and electronics are also major imports. Peru imports mobile phones, laptops, telecommunications equipment, household appliances, electrical components, batteries, cables, and industrial electrical systems.

These products support consumer demand as well as business operations in telecoms, mining, retail, logistics, construction, and services.

China is especially important as a supplier of electronics, machinery, and electrical equipment to the Peruvian market.

5. Plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and raw materials

Peru imports plastics, chemical products, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, paper, rubber products, and other raw materials used by domestic industries.

Plastics and chemicals are used in packaging, agriculture, construction, consumer goods, manufacturing, and food processing. Pharmaceuticals support healthcare demand, while steel and metal products are important for construction, infrastructure, mining, and industrial activity.

6. Food products and consumer goods

Peru also imports food products and consumer goods, including cereals, wheat, corn, soy products, dairy products, packaged foods, clothing, footwear, household goods, and retail products.

Consumer goods imports grew in 2025, reflecting stronger domestic demand. Food-related imports are important for supply stability, especially for products not produced in sufficient quantities domestically.

Peru’s Main Trade Partners

China is Peru’s largest export destination and its most important trade partner overall. In 2025, China accounted for 36.2% of Peru’s exports, supported mainly by copper, gold, silver concentrates, and other mineral products.

The European Union is another major export destination, especially for mining products, agricultural goods, fishery products, and food exports. The United States remains one of Peru’s most important markets, particularly for blueberries, grapes, avocados, textiles, coffee, cacao, and other non-traditional exports.

On the import side, China is Peru’s largest supplier, followed by the United States and Brazil. These countries supply machinery, electronics, vehicles, industrial inputs, fuels, consumer goods, and raw materials.

Why Peru’s Trade Matters for Shipping

Peru’s export economy depends heavily on maritime logistics. Mining products, agricultural goods, fishmeal, seafood, textiles, and manufactured goods all rely on efficient port access and international shipping routes.

For imports, Peru depends on ocean freight for machinery, vehicles, electronics, plastics, fuels, industrial inputs, construction materials, and consumer goods.

Perishable exports such as fruit, seafood, and fresh food products require refrigerated containers and reliable transit times. Mining machinery, vehicles, and industrial equipment often require specialized handling, customs planning, and inland transport coordination.

The right shipping route depends on cargo type, supplier location, final destination, customs requirements, temperature control needs, and whether the shipment moves as FCL or LCL.

Conclusion

Peru’s trade profile is built around mining, agriculture, seafood, energy, and industrial demand. Copper, gold, agricultural products, fishmeal, seafood, textiles, chemicals, and manufactured goods are among the country’s most important exports.

Imports are led by fuels, machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, electronics, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food products, and raw materials. These imports support Peru’s mining sector, infrastructure projects, consumer market, manufacturing activity, and domestic supply chains.

With exports reaching a new record in 2025 and imports growing alongside stronger economic activity, Peru continues to strengthen its role as a major South American trade hub connected to Asia, North America, Europe, and the wider Pacific region.